Program

Where to Explore?

There are over 20 institutions across Canada that offer Explore! Discover their particular histories and communities. Each location has a different set of activities and workshops, as well as a unique community to welcome you to town.

Please note that each institution may have different start/end dates and age restrictions, and some offer credits and Languages at Work. Some locations even offer home-stays with local families as a way of immersing program participants even more deeply in the language. Canada has an amazing history and heritage to be explored — which adventure will you choose?

Some institutions may require you to arrive a day earlier and/or leave a day later than the listed program dates. Please confirm your exact arrival and departure dates with your assigned institution before making any travel arrangements.

If you are not eligible for the funding provided by the Explore program (or if you miss the program deadline) and still wish to participate, most institutions accept participants who can cover their own expenses. Please contact the institution directly for more information.

Please note that these are FSL (French-as-a-second-language) institutions only. Click here to see the ESL (English-as-a-second-language) institutions.

Criteria

Click on the province of your choice or make your selection based on institutions' requirements.

I am _ years old

Accommodation

Programs

University credits

Campus Charlevoix (Centre linguistique du Collège de Jonquière)

Baie Saint-Paul (QC)

If you love nature, art, culture, eating well, and getting involved in the community, come and learn French in a unique environment. Baie-St-Paul in Charlevoix, is a small town situated on the shore of the St. Lawrence River, an hour from Quebec City and renowned for the beauty of its landscapes and for its whales. In the summer, the community is bustling with arts and francophone music festivals where Explore students can mingle with local residents and with tourists who arrive from all over Quebec, the rest of Canada, and other countries. Enjoy the taste of our region’s cuisine: Chef Patrick prepares delicious meals, using fresh and local products. With our team of dedicated teachers and counselors, you’ll find it is a pleasure to learn French. Welcome vegetarians and vegans!

The activities preferred by participants:

Nature: Marine mammal Observation and St. Lawrence River excursions

Culture: Participation in Festif, a francophone music festival

Outdoor: Visit to the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park

What makes this program special and unique:

The opportunity to discover the history of Charlevoix

The spectacular landscape with its breathtaking scenery, as well as the warm welcome from francophone locals

Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup

Rivière-du-Loup (QC)

The École de français du Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup—where the whole city is your classroom! Passionate teachers use an innovative educational approach to learning French, and specialized monitors share their expertise in afternoon workshops. This dynamic community on the banks of the St. Lawrence River has been warmly welcoming FSL students for over 40 years. Homestay, residence, volunteering, Languages at Work—a unique linguistic and cultural immersion experience awaits you.

The activities preferred by participants:

Aerial park and ziplining day excursion to Forêt de Maître Corbeau

Overnight trip to Quebec City

Whale-watching excursion on the St. Lawrence River

What makes this program special and unique:

Homestay experience (spring) and dynamic residence life (summer)

An innovative pedagogical approach — courses based on CEFRL with a task-based approach

Centre linguistique du Collège de Jonquière

Jonquière (QC)

In Jonquière, we have top-notch teaching, abundant activities, and opportunities to use French after class. Choose homestay accommodations or student residence. Meet local and international French speakers in an exceptional learning environment. The Language at Work program (spring session only) offers an opportunity to find work after the program. A convenient and affordable shuttle service from Quebec City makes Jonquière more accessible than ever! Come and Explore adventures in language and culture!

The activities preferred by participants:

Discover nature’s splendor the majestic fjord, a nature-lover’s DREAM

The two-week-long Jonquière music festival AWESOME

Organized activities with the local residents – a language learner’s MUST

What makes this program special and unique:

Jonquière campus in the heart of the city

Art and Media Technology, a state-of-the-art facility for hands-on experience in journalism, radio, and television

Collège Boréal – Sudbury

Sudbury (ON)

Come and Explore the “Land of the Voyageurs.” Listen to the tales of adventure and spirit of the Sudbury Region, with its rich cultural history. Come and experience “la joie de vivre”! In Collège Boréal’s Explore program, you’ll discover new regions, live the French language, and have a blast doing it by participating in activities and creating your own French cultural traditions. Come and “Explore” Boréal – Sudbury… a celebration of pride and tradition!

Collège Saint-Charles-Garnier

Quebec City (QC)

If you want to learn French in a francophone community while discovering beautiful Quebec City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and making friends from around the world, choose Collège Saint-Charles-Garnier. For over 30 years, participants have relied on the dynamism and professionalism of first-rate teachers and motivated activity leaders. You will experience authentic French-Canadian culture, go on unforgettable activities and excursions, and fulfill your thirst for adventure. Come and have the BEST five weeks of your life!

École d'immersion française, Université Western

Trois-Pistoles (QC)

Western University’s French Immersion School, located in Trois-Pistoles, Quebec, is Canada’s oldest and most renowned French immersion program. We offer degree-credit courses, homestays with local residents, and a vibrant sociocultural program as well as the Languages at Work program. Learn and live French in Trois-Pistoles, Quebec!

École de français, Cégep de Trois-Rivières

Trois-Rivières (QC)

Trois-Rivières is an up-and-coming city attractively situated right between Quebec City and Montreal on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. This secure and totally francophone port city is proud of its tremendous history and tradition, and its residents (the Trifluviens) are known for their friendliness and open-mindedness. Trois-Rivières is set in a gorgeous landscape and offers a number of attractions. Come and experience the École de français du Cégep de Trois-Rivières!

Explore à La Pocatière, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta

La Pocatière (QC)

Immerse yourself in francophone culture in La Pocatière — a safe and beautiful French-speaking town on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. In the morning, you will study French with dedicated and engaged teachers. In the afternoon, you will attend supervised workshops in dance, theatre, arts, sports, or journalism, or go on exciting outings to Quebec City, Grosse Île, or an Arbraska park. In the evening, you can chat with the friendly locals, go to a festive masquerade ball, or just relax by a campfire on the riverbank. By the time you leave, you will have made remarkable progress in the French language as well as some happy memories and enduring friendships.

Glendon Campus of York University

Toronto (ON)

With almost 35 hectares of green space, complete with the Don River and surrounding forest, it’s hard to tell that you are in the middle of the city while at the Glendon Campus of York University. Glendon’s Explore Program is for all language levels. While all four skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) will be utilized, the activity-based program offers a curriculum focusing on everyday oral communication in a wide range of situations.

La Cité universitaire francophone, Université de Regina

Gaspé (QC)

Explore à Gaspé, été 2019! Focused on developing oral communication skills through authentic conversational situations, the La Cité universitaire francophone’s unique program makes full use of the magnificent natural surroundings of Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles in order to make learning French an active and stimulating experience. Imagine sailing, hiking, and camping in French! Come learn French and have outdoor fun in beautiful Gaspésie!

The activities preferred by participants:

Camping

Canyoning

Activities with the community

What makes this program special and unique:

The outdoor activities and the contact with the community

A chance to talk to people in the community as part of directed or free-time activities

Université de la Saskatchewan

Saskatoon (SK)

Our program’s strong focus on the mastery of French—both comprehension and speaking—also integrates Le Petit Prince at all levels (film, book, activities). We offer 200+ hours of course work, workshops, sociocultural activities, and excursions with an emphasis on exposure to francophone, First Nation, and science cultures. Optional excursions: Banff, The Berry Barn, Shearwater River Cruises, and Saskatoon’s Solar Gardens, including the greenhouses and the Firestick Café. Most students receive credit when their home institution grants a letter of permission.

Université de Moncton

Moncton (NB)

Immerse yourself in the French language and Acadian culture of the charming, lively city of Moncton. In addition to learning French in a dynamic and interactive classroom setting and through various activities, you’ll have opportunities to experience the hospitality of the Acadian people. You’ll also get to see the beauty of Canada’s East Coast, with trips to top attractions in New Brunswick. We have over 35 years of experience offering French-as-a-second-language programs.

Université de Montréal

Montreal (QC)

The École de langues team invites you to experience a stimulating language environment with a decidedly urban flavour. You can learn French at the largest French-speaking university in North America while discovering the vibrant city life of Montréal and Quebec’s francophone culture. Our program is especially designed to offer you a complete learning package. In our credit courses (for a total of six university credits), you will develop a range of French-language skills, particularly your ability to communicate orally. Dynamic workshops and a variety of activities will offer you plenty of chances to practise your newly acquired language skills. This summer, take advantage of an unforgettable language-learning opportunity with our well-qualified language instructors and our highly motivated activity leaders.

Summer Session

Université de Saint-Boniface

Winnipeg (MB)

USB is located in the heart of Winnipeg’s francophone neighbourhood, and you’ll find it an open and friendly educational community. Our courses are taught using a communicative and experiential theme-based approach. The emphasis is on oral conversation, and there is a handbook for each level. You’ll complete two levels during the program. At the end of each level, you’ll make a final presentation to your class using the vocabulary and concepts learned in the course.

The activities preferred by participants:

Day trip exploring Manitoba. A different destination every year

Visit to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Multimedia workshop where participants print their own 3-D projects

What makes this program special and unique:

The program uses the À Vous! collection to meet the needs of its language learners.

Classes participate in buts expérientiels presentations, allowing students to put their new skills on display

Spring Session

Université de Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke (QC)

Nestled in the Eastern Townships, the Université de Sherbrooke offers a language immersion program to develop oral and written communication skills while discovering Quebec and francophone culture. Advanced students take part in volunteer activities.

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Chicoutimi (QC)

The Explore program in the Saguenay region offers an unforgettable experience in a charming small country town, with enthusiastic, dynamic, and dedicated teachers and monitors. The learning process, which focuses on spoken French in small groups, can be tailored to each person’s needs. Learn French in a completely Francophone setting and immerse yourself in our many enjoyable cultural events, activities, and encounters.

Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

Montreal (QC)

Experiencing UQAM's FSL immersion means mixing fun with learning the French language and discovering the warmth and culture of Quebec. Participants take part in various educational activities designed to boost and strengthen language skills, notably theatre and pronunciation workshops. Homework, while part of the Explore adventure, feel a lot lighter when you get to go on field trips to discover the heart and soul of Quebec’s cities. Our high-added-value conferences on Quebec songs and legends are worth the trip!

The activities preferred by participants:

Group presentations are opportunities to work on language skills

Outdoor activities in two Montreal parks

Exploration of Quebec's French historical sites on the banks of the St. Lawrence River

What makes this program special and unique:

Multi-level activities

Specialized workshops that focus on conversation

Group outings in parks and public markets are conducive to spontaneous French conversation

Université Laval

Quebec City (QC)

This summer, sign up for French as a foreign language credit courses at Université Laval’s École de langues. This unique program is delivered by a team of experienced instructors and motivated group leaders, and alternates between classroom and sociocultural activities to create lively interaction among participants. Our campus is located in beautiful Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an inspiring and stimulating place to study.

The activities preferred by participants:

Hiking in different national and provincial parks.

Evenings of canoeing on the Saint-Charles River.

Visiting museums and historical sites.

What makes this program special and unique:

Intensive university program offering academic credits

A wide variety of activities that can be purchased online before arrival

University of Victoria

Victoria (BC)

A French experience with a West Coast flavour. The program was created on beautiful Vancouver Island in 1965 (even before Explore existed!) under the name “La Maison Française.” We now have all the facilities and resources of a modern, vibrant university, but some things never change: sunshine, beaches, rainforests, and a lush, green campus in an incredibly charming city.